How Good are these microphones?

[88fingers]

I went to my local music store today and looked around in their "cheap" condensor mic section. I wrote down a few names and prices and would like to get some advice on what you guys think of them. The "lower-room guy" wasn't available to show them to me and let me test them yet, but I'll do that tomorrow most likely.

I need them for both vocal, and acoustic instrument recording.

Behringer ECM8000

CAD Global Audio GXL200

Marshall_Electronics MXL 603

Audio-Technica MB4000C

CAD Global Audio GXL2200

Thanks!
-Brandon

 

[tdukex]

The MXL603s is an excellent acoustic guitar mic. It has been reported to do a decent job on vocals as well.

The ECM8000 is also a pretty good acoustic guitar mic, with a little more self noise, but not as good as the 603s.

I haven't heard the other mics.

For both acoustic guitar and vocals you might want to consider the Studio Projects B1 ($79). Some on this board think it is the best all around budget mic for these two applications, but I haven't heard it in person.

 

[88fingers]

Do you have any idea what they may sound like on other applications? Such as drums, pianos, violins, saxes, etc?

 

[Sklathill]

There are plenty of things around on at least a few of these mics if you search.

Not too much on the CADs you mention, though. And for good reason: these are NOT good mics. Harsh, overly-hyped highs, muddy, everything a good large-diaphragm is not. CAD's M series mics are very good. The Global Audio mics are not. (Except the GXL1200, which is an alternative to the MXL603s. CAD provides stereo matching service for all mics.)

I've seen the MB4000 used as a live vocal mic. Don't know enough to have an opinion.